Citizenship Education and Training

The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of high quality citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents in communities across the nation. Additional activities that support this goal include making citizenship instruction and naturalization application services accessible to low-income and other underserved lawful permanent resident populations; developing, identifying, and sharing promising practices in citizenship preparation; supporting innovative and creative solutions to barriers faced by those seeking naturalization; increasing the use of and access to technology in citizenship preparation programs; working with local libraries, which serve as a vital resource for immigrant communities; and engaging receiving communities in the citizenship and civic integration process.

Community-and faith-based organizations, public libraries, as well other nonprofit institutions/organizations that conduct citizenship education classes for permanent residents, are eligible as described in the section above.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Immigrant Service Providers; Refugee/Alien.

Credentials/Documentation

May be required by the U.S. Statute, regulation, or program guidance. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?

Pre-Application Procedure

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Application deadline and other information are contained in the application/program guidance.

Award Procedure

Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Approval/Disapproval Decision Time

Deadline: The application deadline in FY 2015 was May 15, 2015. Contact DHS at citizenshipgrantprogram@uscis.dhs.gov or cisgrants@dhs.gov for future application deadlines.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Grantees must reapply for continued funding.

How are proposals selected?

Not Applicable.

How may assistance be used?

DHS grant funds may only be used for the purpose set forth in the agreement, and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Expenses that may be paid for with grant funds include the following: Resources to support citizenship instruction and naturalization application services, including staff salaries, textbooks/materials, standardized assessments, software, etc. Restrictions on use of funds will be identified in the announcement/program guidance and award provisions. See program guidance.

What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?

Reporting

Grantees are required to file:
1.quarterly performance and financial reports during the performance period, and
2.final performance and financial reports within three months of the close of performance period. Federal Financial Reports, SF-425, are due 30 days after each calendar quarter and within three months of the close of the performance period. Grantees are required to file:
1.quarterly performance reports during the performance period, and
2.final performance reports within three months of the close of performance period. Federal Financial Reports, SF-425, are due 30 days after each calendar quarter and within three months of the close of the performance period. No performance monitoring is required.

Auditing

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.

Records

Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award.

Other Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Refer to program guidance. Monetary awards may be subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Payment based on Project need.

OMB Circulars No. A-102, Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments and A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments, A-110, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Non-Profit Organizations, A-21, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions and A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organization.